Consumers may see rebate from energy crisis

SACRAMENTO (AP) — California electricity consumers could see $1.6 billion in refunds from the state's energy crisis more than a dozen years ago if an administrative law judge's recommendation holds up under review.

The California Public Utilities Commission on Tuesday praised the judge's interim ruling as a victory for a state that saw energy prices spike to unprecedented heights amid rolling blackouts in the summer of 2000.

The judge sided with the state in finding that more than a dozen electricity wholesalers artificially manipulated the energy market to drive up prices.

The commission calculated the potential rebates from the formula adopted by the judge in a decision issued Friday. The recommendation now goes before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

Bonneville Power Administration spokesman Michael Hansen says the utility is "disappointed" with the recommendation.